Lions 2009 Debate: 'Justice' for the Lions?

The British and Irish Lions beat South Africa 29-8 to salvage some pride. The
win also gives them a 74-63 aggregate win over the three Tests. Were they
the better team despite a series defeat?

Come here you: Phil Vickery and Shaun Edwards embracePhoto: PA

By Nick Pearce

4:28PM BST 04 Jul 2009

The Lions played with passion pride and purpose. They may have been up against a much-changed South African side, but they could only play what was in front of them and credit must go to those men who stepped up from the brink in Pretoria to win.

The tourists have lost just two games on tour, but they were the ones that counted, and the Springboks rightly won the series.

The goodForward effort - they were offloading, they were dancing - heck they could have played in the centres today.Redemption - Phil Vickery, Ugo Monye and Shane Williams silenced their critics with superb displaysMike Phillips - a significant contribution from the Welsh scrum-half. His muscularity meant he was just at home in the centre

The badToo little too late - this Test was another classic. But what a shame it wasn't a decider

The ugly Those armbands - South Africa wore white armbands as a nod to the suspended Bakkies Botha. An over the top gesture for a two-week ban in a series they had already won.